At a youth-based rock school I help with someone recently donated three student-sized nylon stringed guitars “for the kids”. Several hours after they left I opened the cases. Besides the two no-name starter guitars was a 1916 Martin 00-18. We called them and they had no clue what they had given away. We had to convince them to take it back. Thankfully we hadn’t let the kids get ahold of it. The guitar was astonishingly light and delicate. It sounded great though!
I sincerely appreciate the history lessons of the instruments you work on. It is clear you care about them and it's no wonder why people want to send you their instruments from far and wide. Thanks for posting.
I have a 2 1/2 17 from August 1880 that Hugh Hansen repaired about 12 years ago and it is absolutely wonderful to play and record. It is mahogany with a spruce top and was almost completely destroyed when Hugh got it but he brought it back to life. I think the biggest mistake people make when recording these types of guitars is first, using the wrong microphone and second, trying to get the guitar to do more than it actually does with the wrong microphone preamp settings. Even though the guitar is lower in volume because of the gut strings I prefer to use something like an AKG 451 or Neumann EL 84 placed two or 3 feet from the guitar top and run it through a great preamp and open up the input gain. I use a Manley vox box for most things like this , and yes that microphone and preamp selection is indeed a luxury but you can treat this guitar the same way with much less expensive gear and get a much better results than with more contemporary techniques. As always that’s a great video!
Yes, these little parlour guitars often have such wonderful voices, especially when played as single note melody or lead instruments. Not as good when they are chorded. Thanks for the show, Ted.
@Khail Kupsky spoiler alert Hateful 8 by Quentin Tarantino... the female prisoner is singing a folk song and Kurt Russell's character gets all miffed and picks up the guitar smashing it to bits. The guitar was a priceless vintage Martin and for the smashing part, a substitute duplicate was supposed to be in that scene. Kurt Russell didn't wait for the break, picked up the Martin and smashed it to bits. The look of horror on the actress's face is real, very real.
This was so nice on so many levels, I really appreciate your explanation especially for repairs of the past. We didn't have the internet or RUclips in the 1970s to get world wide consensus on how things should be done. Or the ease to view a pencil date inside a guitar, it's just grandpa's old guitar. I inherited my father's Washburn New Model mandolin that he was given in the 1970s. I thought it was probably made in the 30s, and just recently found out it was 1889. It's 130 years old and still sounds like new. Just like old guitars, not worth much except sentimental value. Thanks for your content and sharing your knowledge and talent. My brother is an instrument repair tech and I have an appreciation for the skill involved.
Huge amount of history in that guitar. One of my Gretsch Monkees guitars has a lot of history in its relatively short life, as well. I was lucky to find that history.
I’m so glad I came across your channel, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the content. I have a 54 Martin D28 that was my grandfathers, I haven’t taken it out of the case in at least 10 years (life happens) and when I did recently I was heart broken. The top has cracked around the pick guard in a couple places and the wood is cupped along with the pick guard, the bridge also needs some work. I used to play (although not that great) and have recently been wanting to take it up again. I wish you were in my neck of the woods, I have no idea who to take it to and certainly wouldn’t trust it with “just anyone”. This guitar is by far my most prized possession
I'd just like to say that I appreciate your attention to the history of an instrument, as well as the fact that the instrument was made to e played, not just looked at. So many out there seem too quick to say "replace all of those" or just "refinish that" or even " it is too old just use it as decoration". You have said (and I agree) that while sometimes some or even all of these may be the "right" course of action there there is often another alternative that does more. You always seek to find that balance between history and playability, Keeping the instrument in service doing what it was meant to do. Thank you. P.S. I don't care what your work stool cover looks like, just keep fixing these instruments
He gets up every mornin hits the basement yawnin grabs the Martin and puts on some new strings, a little truss rod adjustin and a flip he will be bustin when he sees that the nut needs some filing. And Ted is takin care o bizness, everyday takin care o bizness, looks like Randy B! And you never know when BTO is gonna visit Big T but, until they do, Ted is the best Luthier in Big C. Enjoying the great work and education. You really have a gift. Thank you
Very cute little Acoustic Guitar. These old Acoustic Guitars were built for Gut Strings & today we use Nylon as the Modern Equivalent. It came strung w/ Nylon Strings (D'addario Ball end Folk Nylon Strings with Black Nylon Trebles & Silver Plated Wound Basses) which is a sucsess.
The sound is actually excellent - very like a classical guitar without the bass overtones. The felt pick suits it well. Excellent restoration. A Ted classic and, as usual, full of respect for the instrument.
@Bryan yep, it's juvenile I know but it always makes me laugh. When I was a kid, working as a furniture mover, an item on an invoice was listed as "one loose green stool". 50 years ago but it still makes me smile.
I repaired an 1857 2 1/2, and replaced a brace, and bridge plate (VERY carefully) because the owner wanted to string with x light silk and steels. I completely agree with minimal/ authentic wood repair, and I used a stash of late 19th century spruce top wood from a trashed ancient Tilton. A half step flat is imperative, and as far as I know, the customer is still enjoying it. Wonderful guitars! The Brazilian they used is incredible!
In spite of what he says about the value of these early guitars, they are more expensive than new Martin guitars. The prices run from $4000 to $12000 if you can find one. I do not understand his statement unless he is talking about one with many cracks and one not playable. I have one recently purchased about the same age as this one and paid over $6000 for it and love playing it. There was also a coffin case included. It is a fantastic guitar and the best tone of all my 8 guitars. I will never give up this 0-28 guitar with nylon strings.
That tuned up really sweet. Beautiful work. I know how hard it is to tune a moderately old out-of-shape guitar, this shows the quality of the restoration.
When I was young and at that time I used to restore antiques. The finest old types of furniture from early 19th century around Chicago. You amaze me Sir !!! I love your expertise !!!
Always great vids i have fixed three guitars since watching your top notch skills three broken knecks all playing great thanks for sharing ur skills shout out from Scotland
every time i see you in your apron at the end, i feel like you’re a blacksmith who’s also a bard. lol keep putting out this quality man. i love watching you restore guitars.
You've got the most satisfying job in the world. What I like is ...you get straight stuck into repair work...I'd shit myself...Thanks.... it was a pleasure to watch and very therapeutic
Oldest guitar I’ve worked on was from what I could tell a 1901 Martin. The center strip and a brace had been replaced at one time, so it was hard to identify. It was a spruce top, rosewood sides, and a birch back, which I thought was strange. Very thin material used on these
One more reason old pin bridge guitars had added tailpieces reflects the rise of steel strings, as you note. Guitars from this period were built to carry gut strings and running steel strings into the bridge could tear one apart. So they brought the added tension from the new strings over the existing saddle to the end block with the tailpiece. It was really, really common and you'll often find pin-bridge guitars from the period with these tell-tale screw holes around the end block.
Very interesting tidbit. These are the things you can only learn from other people because they're not relevant enough historically to be included in many books.
@@aniquinstark4347 Thanks for the shout. I don't think our lack of knowledge is as much a matter of historical relevance as it is carefree record keeping on the one hand and multiple sales points on the other with makers selling guitars themselves, selling via Sears and Montgomery Ward and even selling lots to other makers to finish. Hundreds of thousands of parlor guitars were churned out in these years, and most had no serial numbers and little if any branding. The change from gut to steel is likewise murky, as more expensive pin-bridge guitars were refitted with tailpieces, and cheaper tailpiece guitars had their moveable bridges replaced with fixed pin and tie bridges. We're all doing the best we can to unravel the mess!
I was surprised that you didn’t remove those long bolts at the pyramid bridge. Their mass would have adversely affected the tone of the guitar. I assume that the owner did not ask you to check the bridge. You could have at least cut them shorter. Is there any reason to leave them as you did?
@@gfurstnsu Hi. You replied to me, so Ted might not have seen this. But since I'm here ... the screws are pretty unsightly, that's true, but of course only a repair guy (and viewers) would ever see it. I'm going to guess that Ted didn't take them out because once removed, there might be consequences. I can't think the mass of the screws would change the tone a heck of a lot, but you probably know better than I do.
Shawns little riff at the start of some of your videos has gotten stuck in my head and not in a bad way. I find myself humming it thruout the day and even playing it when im noodling haha. Thanks Shawn :-)
I own a 2-17 from about 1927 or 8. I don't remember. I picked it up 20 + yrs ago when I owned Music Stores. It had a rough life. Pick up installed with pots on the top, lah blah blah. I haven't touched it yet. Another project for retirement. I have some of those dating well over 30 yrs. Customers are always first. :( Great vids. Thank You.
I heard that approximately 3000 may have been made before serial numbers came in. One came through the San Jose, Calif Goodwill store over 20 years go. A worker kept it.
8:40 This Guitar has been strung w/ Nylon Strings, success. You could get away w/ Thomastik Classic S Flatwound Steel-Core Classical Guitar Strings which will save the frets from scratches.
That's quite lovely. BTW, I'd enjoy seeing a video about work maintaining the shop. Tool maintenance other than sharpening, that sort of thing. It would be interesting to get some insights into your experience at Lee Valley, too.
I just bought myself one of those jeweler's drills for the same sort of stuff. With small holes like those, manual drilling works just fine and you aren't as likely to drill too deep.
Well, that was an education, no doubt about it. A lot in this video I didn't know. The history was very interesting, not to mention the repair itself. Nicely done. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for all that "in depth" information🙏 ! Since years I'm hungry for any Martin Details and started to build guitars on my own...but I never learned so much about that company in so short time...Best, Jojo Büld
I'm a quite old Martin. I don't sound as good as this one though
Don’t sell yerself short.
@@Claytone-Records honesty isn't selling myself short!
Give yourself another year, or a hundred- maybe you'll get better..
Maybe you just need a good tune-up and cleaning.
@@tinman8518 i think i just need thinner, longer fingers
"Under your beloved's window, on your velocipede.." You old romantic, you!
I’m thinking manuped or humber-tricycle. He was a player with a nice ride that scored often. historically and scientifically speaking. A chad.
Man, the grain on the sides is beautiful.
I was thinking the same. That grain is unique.
"Before automobile, and Spandex" two things that clearly define the modern age. This guys makes my day.
At a youth-based rock school I help with someone recently donated three student-sized nylon stringed guitars “for the kids”. Several hours after they left I opened the cases. Besides the two no-name starter guitars was a 1916 Martin 00-18. We called them and they had no clue what they had given away. We had to convince them to take it back. Thankfully we hadn’t let the kids get ahold of it. The guitar was astonishingly light and delicate. It sounded great though!
I sincerely appreciate the history lessons of the instruments you work on. It is clear you care about them and it's no wonder why people want to send you their instruments from far and wide. Thanks for posting.
I always love the way a GOOD small bodied guitar sounds.
I have a 2 1/2 17 from August 1880 that Hugh Hansen repaired about 12 years ago and it is absolutely wonderful to play and record. It is mahogany with a spruce top and was almost completely destroyed when Hugh got it but he brought it back to life.
I think the biggest mistake people make when recording these types of guitars is first, using the wrong microphone and second, trying to get the guitar to do more than it actually does with the wrong microphone preamp settings.
Even though the guitar is lower in volume because of the gut strings I prefer to use something like an AKG 451 or Neumann EL 84 placed two or 3 feet from the guitar top and run it through a great preamp and open up the input gain. I use a Manley vox box for most things like this , and yes that microphone and preamp selection is indeed a luxury but you can treat this guitar the same way with much less expensive gear and get a much better results than with more contemporary techniques.
As always that’s a great video!
Yes, these little parlour guitars often have such wonderful voices, especially when played as single note melody or lead instruments. Not as good when they are chorded. Thanks for the show, Ted.
@@dooleyfussle8634 KR116 strings would be good
My dad left me a 3/4 size Martin from about 1865 I believe, still plays beautifully. Very grateful.
This is the kind of content we subscribe for. Excellent work Mr. Woodford.
Now this is seriously cool, just don't let Kurt Russell near it.
Wow I forgot all about that story I guess that was a true story then what a f****** shame that was
Mr.Ted; do you think you could have repaired that guitar? BTW, blame Martin,,,they should have never lent the guitar.
@Khail Kupsky spoiler alert Hateful 8 by Quentin Tarantino... the female prisoner is singing a folk song and Kurt Russell's character gets all miffed and picks up the guitar smashing it to bits. The guitar was a priceless vintage Martin and for the smashing part, a substitute duplicate was supposed to be in that scene. Kurt Russell didn't wait for the break, picked up the Martin and smashed it to bits. The look of horror on the actress's face is real, very real.
@@that_thing_I_do wow, i hadn't heard that before! Belter!
Me neigther.living proof of why you should never let someone touch or even near your guitar especialy people that dont play.
This was so nice on so many levels, I really appreciate your explanation especially for repairs of the past. We didn't have the internet or RUclips in the 1970s to get world wide consensus on how things should be done. Or the ease to view a pencil date inside a guitar, it's just grandpa's old guitar.
I inherited my father's Washburn New Model mandolin that he was given in the 1970s. I thought it was probably made in the 30s, and just recently found out it was 1889. It's 130 years old and still sounds like new.
Just like old guitars, not worth much except sentimental value.
Thanks for your content and sharing your knowledge and talent. My brother is an instrument repair tech and I have an appreciation for the skill involved.
I love your level of investigation prior to proceeding with any work. Your insight into prior repairs is appreciated very much.
Huge amount of history in that guitar. One of my Gretsch Monkees guitars has a lot of history in its relatively short life, as well. I was lucky to find that history.
I’m so glad I came across your channel, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the content.
I have a 54 Martin D28 that was my grandfathers, I haven’t taken it out of the case in at least 10 years (life happens) and when I did recently I was heart broken. The top has cracked around the pick guard in a couple places and the wood is cupped along with the pick guard, the bridge also needs some work. I used to play (although not that great) and have recently been wanting to take it up again. I wish you were in my neck of the woods, I have no idea who to take it to and certainly wouldn’t trust it with “just anyone”. This guitar is by far my most prized possession
I laughed out loud at "Those first heady months of Benjamin Harrison's presidency." I bet you are tons of fun at pub trivia.
Or in the case of his grandfather, that heady month of his presidency.
That's Hedley.... Lamarr
This Martin sounds Great! Hopefully someone will love playing it once again. Nice Work
I'd just like to say that I appreciate your attention to the history of an instrument, as well as the fact that the instrument was made to e played, not just looked at. So many out there seem too quick to say "replace all of those" or just "refinish that" or even " it is too old just use it as decoration". You have said (and I agree) that while sometimes some or even all of these may be the "right" course of action there there is often another alternative that does more. You always seek to find that balance between history and playability, Keeping the instrument in service doing what it was meant to do. Thank you. P.S. I don't care what your work stool cover looks like, just keep fixing these instruments
I love the beautiful hand written "7" even when writing quickly these guys made something stylish
He gets up every mornin hits the basement yawnin grabs the Martin and puts on some new strings, a little truss rod adjustin and a flip he will be bustin when he sees that the nut needs some filing. And Ted is takin care o bizness, everyday takin care o bizness, looks like Randy B! And you never know when BTO is gonna visit Big T but, until they do, Ted is the best Luthier in Big C. Enjoying the great work and education. You really have a gift. Thank you
Very cute little Acoustic Guitar. These old Acoustic Guitars were built for Gut Strings & today we use Nylon as the Modern Equivalent. It came strung w/ Nylon Strings (D'addario Ball end Folk Nylon Strings with Black Nylon Trebles & Silver Plated Wound Basses) which is a sucsess.
Brilliant repairs. Preserving history. TY for sharing. MH
The X Bracing Martins are Stronger which allowed them to easily be converted into Steel String Guitars w/o any problems.
Those old Martins are simply magnificent - incomparable
The sound is actually excellent - very like a classical guitar without the bass overtones. The felt pick suits it well. Excellent restoration. A Ted classic and, as usual, full of respect for the instrument.
A plastic pick gives you a good folk singer sound like Willie nelson. It's trigger
As long as it doesn't bother you, I guess we prefer more acoustic guitar videos versus a fixed stool cover 😁😁
They make some very nice stool covers. I have one on my work bench stool. Nice.
Those of us who live in the Arctic generally dig a little hole in the tundra and cover any stools we leave with a bit of moss.
@Bryan yep, it's juvenile I know but it always makes me laugh. When I was a kid, working as a furniture mover, an item on an invoice was listed as "one loose green stool". 50 years ago but it still makes me smile.
I repaired an 1857 2 1/2, and replaced a brace, and bridge plate (VERY carefully) because the owner wanted to string with x light silk and steels. I completely agree with minimal/ authentic wood repair, and I used a stash of late 19th century spruce top wood from a trashed ancient Tilton. A half step flat is imperative, and as far as I know, the customer is still enjoying it. Wonderful guitars! The Brazilian they used is incredible!
It has that "Trigger" kind of sound! Lovely!
That guitar has a sweet sound❤️
Just sat down with my coffee and this popped up! Good way to start the day.
+100 ads unless your smart
In spite of what he says about the value of these early guitars, they are more expensive than new Martin guitars. The prices run from $4000 to $12000 if you can find one. I do not understand his statement unless he is talking about one with many cracks and one not playable. I have one recently purchased about the same age as this one and paid over $6000 for it and love playing it. There was also a coffin case included. It is a fantastic guitar and the best tone of all my 8 guitars. I will never give up this 0-28 guitar with nylon strings.
I agree, I own this exact model built in June 1891. I use light gauge steel strings, 009-038, drop tuned a whole step and it sounds and plays amazing.
5:48 There are some holes from a non-original tailpiece & that was commonly done to keep a Guitar playable when the saddle became too low.
This is fantastic information. Haven't seen these vids previously. The guitar world is truly amazing. My hat's off to you Sir - if I had had one on.
Great information and history, amazing repair as always. Thank you Mr. Woodford.
I absolutely love the new intro. Just makes me smile.
Such a great piece of history there. Very nice!
Intro music is great
"The one that's obviously high". Guilty as charged. 😊
Another well done restoration. Really like the music you've added at the beginning
Your knowledge of what to do is remarkable
That tuned up really sweet. Beautiful work. I know how hard it is to tune a moderately old out-of-shape guitar, this shows the quality of the restoration.
When I was young and at that time I used to restore antiques. The finest old types of furniture from early 19th century around Chicago. You amaze me Sir !!! I love your expertise !!!
The amount of history you know... and your ability to communicate it... bravo. Just bravo.
Whillikers, that Brazillian is pure magic. Each string is equally crisp, deep, and complex. I wonder if they made their glue in house, and what of.
Really nice piece of Martin history
What a piece of history! Amazing, thanks for sharing
This thing is gorgeous!
Always great vids i have fixed three guitars since watching your top notch skills three broken knecks all playing great thanks for sharing ur skills shout out from Scotland
I love watching you work, and I am jealous you get to do it for a living!
Another fabulous and informative video, thank you. I don't understand how some people are giving this a thumbs down. What's not to like?
I hope the Martin Guitar Museum is happy that this Guitar from Hateful Eight has been restored
Really interesting. I love your commentary. Thank you.✌️❤️🙏🇦🇺
"The LaSt GuY did it". Love the cheeky voice. 😄 You could make a whole series of jokes or memes about The Last Guy:)
Absolutely Marvellous work !. A great pleasure to watch. Greetings from Scotland 🏴.
I really enjoy your videos, and your playing! My only wish is that I lived closer to your shop!!
wonderful work Ted, Thank you
every time i see you in your apron at the end, i feel like you’re a blacksmith who’s also a bard. lol
keep putting out this quality man. i love watching you restore guitars.
A blacksmith/carpenter who is also a bard is basically the DND definition of a luthier lol
Lovely and thorough craftsmanship.
Thanks for all the history!
sounds sweet to me beautiful tone it has
You've got the most satisfying job in the world. What I like is ...you get straight stuck into repair work...I'd shit myself...Thanks.... it was a pleasure to watch and very therapeutic
Very much appreciate your perspective on the issues involved here. Thanks, as always, for posting this.
Thank you for the journeys you keep taking with these instruments!
Wow! Timeless craftsmanship.
A Zero Glide Nut would be a good upgrade for this
Nice, just in time for my first Sunday morning beer.👍
Sounds great! Has a lot of volume and nice tone....dang!
Oldest guitar I’ve worked on was from what I could tell a 1901 Martin. The center strip and a brace had been replaced at one time, so it was hard to identify. It was a spruce top, rosewood sides, and a birch back, which I thought was strange. Very thin material used on these
You my friend are an absolute master in your craft, I always enjoy your videos and content.
One more reason old pin bridge guitars had added tailpieces reflects the rise of steel strings, as you note. Guitars from this period were built to carry gut strings and running steel strings into the bridge could tear one apart. So they brought the added tension from the new strings over the existing saddle to the end block with the tailpiece. It was really, really common and you'll often find pin-bridge guitars from the period with these tell-tale screw holes around the end block.
Very interesting tidbit. These are the things you can only learn from other people because they're not relevant enough historically to be included in many books.
@@aniquinstark4347 Thanks for the shout. I don't think our lack of knowledge is as much a matter of historical relevance as it is carefree record keeping on the one hand and multiple sales points on the other with makers selling guitars themselves, selling via Sears and Montgomery Ward and even selling lots to other makers to finish. Hundreds of thousands of parlor guitars were churned out in these years, and most had no serial numbers and little if any branding. The change from gut to steel is likewise murky, as more expensive pin-bridge guitars were refitted with tailpieces, and cheaper tailpiece guitars had their moveable bridges replaced with fixed pin and tie bridges. We're all doing the best we can to unravel the mess!
I was surprised that you didn’t remove those long bolts at the pyramid bridge. Their mass would have adversely affected the tone of the guitar. I assume that the owner did not ask you to check the bridge. You could have at least cut them shorter. Is there any reason to leave them as you did?
@@gfurstnsu Hi. You replied to me, so Ted might not have seen this. But since I'm here ... the screws are pretty unsightly, that's true, but of course only a repair guy (and viewers) would ever see it. I'm going to guess that Ted didn't take them out because once removed, there might be consequences. I can't think the mass of the screws would change the tone a heck of a lot, but you probably know better than I do.
I love the figuring on the sides.
Shawns little riff at the start of some of your videos has gotten stuck in my head and not in a bad way. I find myself humming it thruout the day and even playing it when im noodling haha. Thanks Shawn :-)
lovely sound !
I own a 2-17 from about 1927 or 8. I don't remember. I picked it up 20 + yrs ago when I owned Music Stores. It had a rough life. Pick up installed with pots on the top, lah blah blah. I haven't touched it yet. Another project for retirement. I have some of those dating well over 30 yrs. Customers are always first. :(
Great vids. Thank You.
I heard that approximately 3000 may have been made before serial numbers came in. One came through the San Jose, Calif Goodwill store over 20 years go. A worker kept it.
Butchering also happened in surgery, Knees, now it's so much better.
1867-1898 guitar. [July 1989, OK.] Cause .....yah! That is very old! I love the features of that guitar.
what a sweet sound ❤
Who are the bar fret experts ? Fantastic video.
Sounds great thank you for velocipede that made my day....
Thomastik KF110 or KR116 Flatwound Strings would save the frets from scratches
First time I've ever seen that suction cup trick! Great idea!
8:40 This Guitar has been strung w/ Nylon Strings, success. You could get away w/ Thomastik Classic S Flatwound Steel-Core Classical Guitar Strings which will save the frets from scratches.
That's quite lovely.
BTW, I'd enjoy seeing a video about work maintaining the shop. Tool maintenance other than sharpening, that sort of thing. It would be interesting to get some insights into your experience at Lee Valley, too.
Great post. I hope Ted reads these , others have mentioned a shop maintenance video too.
I know I will in the future too.
I just bought myself one of those jeweler's drills for the same sort of stuff. With small holes like those, manual drilling works just fine and you aren't as likely to drill too deep.
Well, that was an education, no doubt about it. A lot in this video I didn't know. The history was very interesting, not to mention the repair itself. Nicely done. Thanks for sharing.
Great info and history
Informative, entertaining and educational. Can’t ask for more. 👍
Really enjoyed this one!
genius craftsman. all the best
Thanks a bunch. I really enjoyed that. Appreciated.
We need to get Julian Baumgartner and Ted Woodford to get together and do a podcast where they commiserate and throw shade at old restoration work.
at about 5:44 I noticed there may be evidence of it having had a pick guard. The wood color is a bit darker in the shape of a pick guard.
Thank you so much for all that "in depth" information🙏 ! Since years I'm hungry for any Martin Details and started to build guitars on my own...but I never learned so much about that company in so short time...Best, Jojo Büld
Great video. A fine slice of Americana!
probably the best filmed Luthier channel
Thank you.. cool old guitar.
Thanks for the background information.
From where I'm sitting, that's an interesting, dark tone.
Those sides! WOW!!!!